The Texas Youth Commission (TYC)
provided for the care, custody, rehabilitation, and reestablishment into society of
youths convicted of delinquent conduct. The TYC operated secure residential,
institutional, and community-based programs for delinquent youth and supervised the
youth once they returned to the community. It also contracted with private sector
providers to operate residential and non-residential services. These TYC historical
records include Attorney General opinions, policy memoranda, correspondence,
administrative files, scrapbooks, photographs, field survey notebooks, financial
records, livestock records, juvenile court reports, parole records, and payroll
records. Dates covered are 1886-1892, 1902, 1909-2003, undated, bulk 1949-2000. Most
of the materials concern the activities of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and its
predecessor agencies, the Texas State Youth Development Council and Texas Youth
Council. Records are also present for two associated organizations, the Association
of Juvenile Compact Administrators and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles.
Additionally, there are a few meeting and administrative files from the executive
director of the Youth Commission in his role as an ex-officio member of the Texas
Commission on Services to Children and Youth.

Juvenile corrections efforts by the state of Texas began in 1887 with the passage of
legislation for a House of Correction and Reformatory (which later became the State
Juvenile Training School) (House Bill 21, 20th Texas Legislature, Regular Session).
This correctional facility for boys began operation in 1889 in Gatesville. In 1913,
the 33rd Legislature authorized the creation of the Girls' Training School (House
Bill 570, Regular Session), a correctional facility for girls in Gainesville. It
began operation in 1916. In 1945, the legislature approved the establishment of the
State Training School for Delinquent and Dependent Colored Girls (Senate Bill 46,
49th Legislature, Regular Session); located in Brady, it began operation in 1947.
Between 1887 and 1920, separate boards of directors managed each of these schools
and reported directly to the governor. The Texas State Board of Control, created by
the 36th Legislature in 1919 (Senate Bill 147, Regular Session), took over
management of the three schools from 1920 to 1949.

Additional 1887 legislation established facilities to care for dependent and
neglected children. The State Orphan's Asylum (later known as the Corsicana State
Home), began operation in 1889 in Corsicana (Senate Bill 261, 20th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1887). Further legislation in 1887 created another home (House Bill
445, 20th Legislature, Regular Session), located in Austin, known as the Deaf, Dumb
and Blind Asylum for Colored Youth (later named the Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan
School). A third home was established in 1919, located in Waco (House Bill 112, 36th
Legislature, Regular Session), as the State Home for Dependent and Neglected
Children (later known as the Waco State Home). The state homes, as with the schools
for delinquent children, were managed by the Board of Control beginning in 1920.
Management of the Waco State Home passed to the Texas State Department of Public
Welfare in 1939 (Senate Bill 36, 46th Legislature, Regular Session). Management of
the Corsicana State Home; the Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan Home; and the Waco State
Home was transferred to the newly created Texas Board for State Hospitals and
Special Schools in 1949 (House Bill 1, 51st Legislature, Regular Session).

In 1947, the 50th Legislature created the State Training Code Commission (Senate
Concurrent Resolution 34, Regular Session), composed of seven members appointed by
the governor, to study the state schools for delinquent children and examine the
problem of juvenile delinquency. It was to determine changes that would improve the
administration of the schools and enable them to more nearly accomplish their broad
social objectives. The commission's report to the 51st Legislature resulted in the
creation of the Texas State Youth Development Council.

The Texas State Youth Development Council was created in 1949 (House Bill 705, 51st
Legislature, Regular Session). It was composed of six "influential" citizens appointed by the governor with the consent of the
senate, and eight ex-officio members: chairman, Board of Control; executive
director, Department of Public Welfare; Commissioner of Education; executive
director, Board for State Hospitals and Special Schools; State Health Officer;
Director, Texas Department of Public Safety; executive secretary, Texas State Parks
Board; and chairman, Texas Employment Commission. The governor appointed the chair.
The purpose of the council was to coordinate state efforts to help communities
develop and strengthen child services. It was also directed to administer the
state's correctional facilities for delinquent children by providing constructive
training aimed at the rehabilitation and successful reestablishment of these
children into society. The council took over control of the correctional schools
then managed by the State Board of Control: the Gatesville State School for Boys,
Gainesville State School for Girls, and the Brady State School for Delinquent
Colored Girls.

The State Youth Development Council became the Texas Youth Council in 1957 (Senate
Bill 303, 55th Legislature, Regular Session). It was composed of three members
appointed by the governor with consent of the senate, to six-year overlapping terms,
and the members elected the chair. The members were to be citizens recognized in
their communities for their interest in youth. The size of the commission increased
to six in 1975 (Senate Bill 278, 64th Legislature, Regular Session). The Youth
Council had the same duties as the State Youth Development Council, with the
additional mandate to provide parole supervision for certain delinquent children
until their discharge. The legislature also directed the Youth Council to operate
institutions for dependent and neglected children (Corsicana State Home, Waco State
Home, and Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan School). During the 1970s the Youth Council
initiated a county juvenile probation subsidy program that was transferred to the
newly created Texas Juvenile Probation Commission in 1981 (House Bill 1904, 67th
Legislature, Regular Session).

In 1971, a class action lawsuit, Morales v. Turman, was
brought against the Texas Youth Council, its officers, and staff by children
confined in the juvenile corrections facilities. In response to the lawsuit, changes
were initiated in the way juvenile correction facilities were operated.

The Texas Youth Council was renamed as the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) in 1983
(Senate Bill 422, 68th Texas Legislature, Regular Session). The duties of the
commission included providing services to delinquent youths between 10 and 21 years
of age through programs and facilities that administer constructive training for
rehabilitation. The TYC operated under the Texas Human Resource Code, Title 3,
Chapter 61, as the state's juvenile correction agency. Under Title 3 of the Texas
Family Code, the TYC provided for the care, custody, rehabilitation, and
reestablishment into society of those youth convicted of delinquent conduct. The TYC
operated secure residential, institutional, and community-based programs for
delinquent youth and supervised the youth once they returned to the community. It
also contracted with private sector providers to operate residential and
non-residential services. The TYC protected the identities of youth admitted to
their facilities by keeping personal information confidential (such as names and
home addresses) and not allowing photographs of the children to be taken (without
permission of the child) as required by the Texas Family Code, Section 58.005.

In 1995, the 74th Legislature passed an omnibus juvenile justice reform package,
House Bill 327 (Regular Session), that changed the way juvenile justice was
administered in Texas. The bill expanded the offenses for which a youth could
receive a determinate sentence (sentence with a fixed term) to include most violent
offenses, such as murder, rape, and aggravated assault. It also enabled supervision
of youth to continue into the adult criminal justice system; lowered the age that a
juvenile could be tried as an adult from 15 to 14; and directed that both the most
violent juvenile defenders and mentally ill delinquent youth be sent to the TYC. In
light of this new legislation, TYC provided greater structure, strictly enforced
discipline, and increased accountability of the delinquent youth in their programs.

Youth committed for minor offenses are the responsibility of local governments. The
TYC received the most serious offenders with longer sentences. These comprised two
categories: committed juveniles and sentenced offenders. Committed juveniles were
sent to the commission by juvenile courts after adjudication, allowing the Youth
Commission to determine the length of stay and the type of services provided (e.g.,
Capitol Offender Program or Chemical Dependency Program). The second category,
sentenced offenders, were given a specific sentence through determinate sentencing
status and could not be released prior to their sentence termination.

The TYC directly operated fourteen correctional institutions and nine community-based
residential programs and contracted with private sector providers for a variety of
residential programs. Through these institutions and facilities the TYC provided
accredited secondary education, vocational training, and several specialized
programs concerning sex offenders, capital offenders who have committed murder,
chemical dependency, resocialization, independent living preparation, mentally
retarded youth, and seriously emotionally disturbed youth. The TYC also operated a
parole system for supervision of youth released from residential programs.

The TYC also administered the Interstate Compact on Juveniles (ICJ) for the state of
Texas. The ICJ provides for the cooperative supervision of juvenile probationers and
parolees who move from state to state. It also provides for the return of
non-delinquent runaway youth, parole and probation absconders, and escapees to their
home state. The administrators of each state compact are members of the Association
of Juvenile Compact Administrators (AJCA). The AJCA holds annual meetings and
sponsors mid-winter workshops on relevant juvenile issues.

In 2011, the TYC and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC) were abolished and their
operations were transferred to the newly-created Texas Juvenile Justice Department
(TJJD) (Senate Bill 653, 82nd Legislature, Regular Session). The TJJD works in
partnership with local county governments, courts, and communities to promote public
safety by providing support and services to any individual who is at least 10 years
old but not yet 17 at the time he or she committed an act defined as "delinquent conduct" or "conduct in need of supervision," from the time of initial contact through
the end of supervision.

According to an internal agency history (and repeated by the Handbook of Texas) the roots of the Youth Commission extend back to 1859
when the 8th Legislature authorized separate corrections facilities for children
(the age of criminal responsibility was nine at this time; it was raised to
seventeen in 1918). No funding was provided and such facilities were not established
until 1887. The State Archives is unable to locate the 1859 legislation referred to
in these sources.

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) provided for the care, custody, rehabilitation, and
reestablishment into society of youths convicted of delinquent conduct. The TYC
operated secure residential, institutional, and community-based programs for
delinquent youth and supervised the youth once they returned to the community. It
also contracted with private sector providers to operate residential and
non-residential services. These TYC historical records include Attorney General
opinions, policy memoranda, correspondence, administrative files, Ombudsman files,
minutes, scrapbooks, photographs, field survey notebooks, theses, financial records,
livestock records, juvenile court reports, parole records, and payroll records.
Dates covered are 1886-1892, 1902, 1909-2003, undated, bulk 1949-2000. Most of the
materials concern the activities of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and its
predecessor agencies, the Texas State Youth Development Council and Texas Youth
Council. Records are also present for two associated organizations, the Association
of Juvenile Compact Administrators and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles.
Additionally, there are a few meeting and administrative files from the executive
director of the Youth Commission in his role as an ex-officio member of the Texas
Commission on Services to Children and Youth.

Topics covered in these records include the creation of the State Youth Development
Council, history of TYC youth facilities, operation of and programs at youth
facilities, opening and closing of facilities, construction, research studies,
legislation affecting the agency, juvenile court actions, some issues involving
runaway juveniles, and early livestock management. Correspondents include agency
staff, officials in other state agencies, legislators, local officials, out-of-state
agencies, parents of students, and others. Information is present for the following
facilities: Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan School; Brady State School; Brownwood State
School; Crockett State School; Corsicana State Home; Evins Regional Juvenile Center;
Gainsville State School; Gatesville State School; Giddings State School; Mountain
View School for Boys; Parrie Haynes Ranch; Statewide Reception Center at Brownwood;
Waco State Home; and the West Texas Children's Home.

Restrictions on Access

Materials do not circulate, but may be used in the State Archives search room.
Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by staff members.

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home addresses and
other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the agency's juvenile
delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children in any facilities operated
by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code, Section 58.005); and photographs
where individual children in Youth Commission facilities can be identified unless
the child granted permission to allow the photograph to be taken (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be accessed
for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the
Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552).

The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request by mail
(Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711), fax
(512-463-5436), email (director.librarian@tsl.texas.gov), or see our web page
(https://www.tsl.texas.gov/agency/customer/pia.html). Include enough
description and detail about the information requested to enable the archivist to
accurately identify and locate the information. If our review reveals information
that may be excepted by the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an open
records decision from the Attorney General on whether the records can be released.
The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten working days after receiving a
request to make this determination. The Attorney General has 45 working days to
render a decision. Alternately, the Archives can inform you of the nature of the
potentially excepted information and if you agree, that information can be redacted
or removed and you can access the remainder of the records.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted. State records also
include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains
with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright
Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).

Technical Requirements

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing
photographic materials.

The following materials are offered as possible sources of
further information on the agencies and subjects covered by the records. The
listing is not exhaustive.

Texas State Archives

Some governors' records concern the juvenile
corrections system, state orphan homes, and related matters. Check the
folder inventories for subject terms such as juveniles, orphans, and
related terms, along with the names of specific institutions and names
of the state agencies involved with the management of juvenile
delinquent youth and orphans.

Texas. Board for Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools records, 1950-1965, 2.25
cubic ft. [There is no finding aid for these unprocessed records. Call numbers
are 1989/025, 1998/147, 2005/095, and 2006/106.]

Texas. Commission on Services to Children and Youth minutes, 1973-1974, 1978,
fractional [There is no finding aid for these unprocessed records.]

Texas. State Training Code Commission. A Youth
Development Program for the State of Texas, 1949. [This
is a report to Governor Beauford Jester and the 51st Legislature that resulted
in the creation of the State Youth Development Council.]

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division
of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Youth Commission
on January 11 and May 28, 1999; February 21, 2002; October 27, 2004; September
7, 2007; by the Texas Legislative Reference Library on October 17, 2002; and by
the Texas Juvenile Justice Department on November 8, 2013.

Detailed Description of the Records

The Texas Youth Council coordinated state efforts to help communities develop
and strengthen child services, along with providing parole supervision for
certain delinquent children until their discharge. The legislature also
directed the Youth Council to operate institutions for dependent and
neglected children (Corsicana State Home, Waco State Home, and Texas Blind,
Deaf and Orphan School). This series consists of correspondence of the Texas
Youth Council with the Texas Attorney General (AG) and Attorney General
opinions regarding requests by the Youth Council for AG opinions on a
variety of issues, and opinion request procedures. Dates covered are 1933,
1959-1963, 1967, and 1974, the bulk dating 1963. There are also two
requests, from 1933 and 1974, that do not concern the Youth Council but were
perhaps maintained for reference purposes. Subjects of the opinion requests
and opinions include whether the TYC could charge for the support and
maintenance of wards of the Waco and Corsicana State Homes; whether the TYC
could pay certain employees for rent in lieu of providing housing and
utilities if such facilities were non-existent at the institution; whether
the TYC could construct and operate another school for delinquent boys at
Gatesville, separate from the existing Gatesville State School if funds were
available; and whether the TYC could appoint a man as superintendent of the
girls state schools at Crockett and Gainesville if no qualified woman could
be found to fill the position.

There is an index to the opinion letters for 1963 in the files.

Arrangement

The opinion request procedures are filled first, followed by the opinion
files in chronological order.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on February 21, 2002.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, February 2002

Box

1999/086-1

Opinion request procedures, 1963

Opinions and correspondence:

1933

1959-1963

[Includes index.]

1967, 1974

Administrative policy files, 1977, 1981-1993, 0.25 cubic ft.

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) provided for the care, custody,
rehabilitation, and reestablishment into society of youths convicted of
delinquent conduct. The TYC operated secure residential, institutional, and
community-based programs for delinquent youth and supervised the youth once
they returned to the community. It also contracted with private sector
providers to operate residential and non-residential services. This series
consists of memoranda from the executive office and other agency officials
regarding new policies or changes in policies of the Texas Youth Commission.
Dates covered are 1977, 1981-1993. A cover sheet is present for each year
that lists the policy number, date issued, subject, and originator of the
memo. The policy memoranda give the policy number, date issued, date
effected, termination date (if applicable), who received it, who sent it,
subject, TYC manual rules affected, and the text of the policy. Legislation
causing policy changes is listed and summarized. A wide range of policy
changes is reflected in these files. Subjects directly relating to youth
include release of violent offenders, use of physical force, release of
illegal aliens, length of stay at facilities, student reclassification,
apprehension of students, death of students, authorizing use of chemical
agents, personal possessions of youth, etc. Other policies concern personnel
issues and various agency management changes. A few early memos concern
incidents at TYC facilities, directly related to policies in place at those
institutions.

An early policy memo contained names of youth in detention facilities
involved in specific incidents; the names of the children were redacted at
some point in the past by the Texas Youth Commission. The State Archives
does not have a copy of the unredacted memo.

Correspondence of the Texas Youth Council can be found in the series Correspondence and administrative files of the Texas
Youth Council. For additional correspondence series, see the
separate finding aid Executive Office correspondence. Policy and procedural manuals
of the Youth Commission can be found in the separate finding aid Reports and agency policy records.

Correspondence and administrative policies concerning the operation of the
state schools and orphanages formerly under the Texas State Board of Control
can be found in the separate finding aid State Board of Control records.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on May 28, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

The Texas Youth Council (TYC) coordinated state efforts to help communities
develop and strengthen child services, along with providing parole
supervision for certain delinquent children until their discharge. The
legislature also directed the Youth Council to operate institutions for
dependent and neglected children (Corsicana State Home, Waco State Home, and
Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan School). This series contains correspondence
and administrative files of the Texas Youth Council, dating 1958-1973.
Topics include changes to policies and admittance standards, employment of
students, conditions in the schools, staff changes, social events at
facilities, deaths at the schools, volunteer programs, construction quality,
education and/or research project proposals, proposals for programs at
schools and homes, screening of students at the state schools, approving
leaves of absence for children, and acknowledgments. Also present are
results of research projects, a speech by the executive director to a group
of students in 1971, lists giving statistical breakdowns of children in the
facilities, goals for homes and schools including notes from planning
sessions and evaluation reports on objectives; correspondence with and
newsletters of the Waco Ex-Students' Association and the Corsicana
Ex-Students' Association; lists of ex-students from the orphan homes;
monthly hospital reports; and a special study done in 1963 on the Corsicana
State Home. Correspondents include TYC staff at the administrative offices
and at several of the youth facilities, state agencies, local officials, and
the general public. A couple of letters concern incidents at TYC juvenile
correction facilities.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, May 2000

Box

1999/086-1

Agriculture, Texas Department of, 1970

Auditor, State, 1970-1973

Film documentary fact sheet, NBC, 1970

Remarks of Dr. James Turman to students at Sycamore School, September 9, 1971

Research project by Dr. David Wells: Results of State Hospital
Treatment of Delinquents Transferred from State Training Schools, 1960

Brownwood State Home and School for Girls:

September 1972 - June
1973

September 1971 - August
1972

September 1970 - August
1971

November 1969 - August
1970

Corsicana State Home:

General correspondence:

September 1972 - June
1973

September 1971 - August
1972

September 1970 - August
1971

September 1969 - July
1970

Special Study, Corsicana State Home, Texas Department of Public Welfare 1963

Crockett State School for Girls:

General correspondence:

September 1972 - July
1973

September 1971 - August
1972

September 1970 - August
1971

September 1969 - August
1970

Goals and objectives, 1973

Health reports, 1969-1970

Giddings State Home and School for Boys:

Classification of students, about 1970

General correspondence, 1972-1973

General correspondence, 1969-1972

Long-range planning, 1973

Paintings donated to school, 1973

Request to locate TYC state school at Giddings, 1968

Waco State Home:

General correspondence:

Box

1999/086-1

November 1972 - June
1973

September 1971 - August
1972

September 1970 - June
1971

September 1969 - July
1970

West Texas Children's Home:

General correspondence:

September 1972 - June
1973

September 1971 - August
1972

September 1970 - June
1971

September 1969 - August
1970

Goals for 1973, short range - long term, 1973

Staff meetings, 1971

Christmas gifts, 1971; letter to Dr. Turman, 1972

Box

1999/086-2

Corsicana Ex-Students' Association, 1958-1973

[Contains possibly excepted information: names
and addresses of youth under the care of the TYC]

Waco Ex-Students' Association, 1965-1971

[Contains possibly excepted information: names
and addresses of youth under the care of the TYC]

West Texas Children's Home, group therapy report and evaluations, 1973

[Contains possibly excepted information: names
and addresses of youth under the care of the TYC; psychiatric
reports]

State Youth Development Council early history scrapbooks, 1949-1955, bulk 1949-1951,
0.5 cubic ft.

The Texas State Youth Development Council was created to coordinate state
efforts to help communities develop and strengthen child services. It was
also directed to administer the state's correctional facilities for
delinquent children by providing constructive training aimed at the
rehabilitation and successful reestablishment of these children into
society. The council took over control of the correctional schools then
managed by the State Board of Control: the Gatesville State School for Boys,
Gainesville State School for Girls, and the Brady State School for
Delinquent Colored Girls. This series consists of two scrapbooks of
clippings and other materials about the formation and early years of the
Texas State Youth Development Council, dating 1949-1955, bulk 1949-1951.
These scrapbooks were created and maintained to document the creation of the
State Youth Development Council, early activities of the agency, and issues
faced by the agency. They contain primarily clippings but also include
photographs of the governor and original members of the Youth Development
Council, copies of dedication programs, news bulletins/newsletters issued by
the council, and some other printed material. Topics covered include
creation of the agency, appointment of the original council members, opening
of and news from state schools and homes, news of council activities, and
various issues pertaining to the problems of juvenile delinquency. Many of
the clippings are no longer attached to the pages.

Arrangement

The scrapbooks are arranged as received and materials in each are in roughly
chronological order.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), State Youth Development Council early history
scrapbooks, Texas Youth Commission historical records. Archives and
Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1999/087

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) provided for the care, custody,
rehabilitation, and reestablishment into society of youths convicted of
delinquent conduct. The TYC operated secure residential, institutional, and
community-based programs for delinquent youth and supervised the youth once
they returned to the community. It also contracted with private sector
providers to operate residential and non-residential services. This series
consists of several notebooks of materials compiled to provide a narrative
history of some of the schools and homes operated by the Texas Youth
Commission and to highlight functions and some programs and/or activities at
those facilities and in the agency. The materials in the notebooks are dated
1886-1892, 1902, 1932, 1941-1990, undated. According to data found in some
of the notebooks, they were compiled by the agency in 1990. The notebooks
about specific facilities usually contain a narrative history of the
facilities, excerpts from annual reports or other agency publications about
activities at the facilities, clippings, and copies of pertinent
legislation. Other items present for some facilities include rules, policies
or procedures for that facility, brochures, photographs, and programs for
special events, such as a dedication ceremony. Photographs where specific
children can be identified in the state schools have been removed as they
are confidential. If a child in a juvenile facility operated by the Texas
Youth Council/Commission can be identified from a photograph, that image is
confidential unless the image was published, such as in an annual report or
a brochure about the programs at a facility. If published in an agency
publication, it is assumed the child would have granted permission for his
image to be taken. Information is present for these facilities: Texas Blind,
Deaf and Orphan School, Brady State School, Brownwood State School, Crockett
State School, Corsicana State Home, Evins Center, Gainsville State School,
Gatesville State School, Giddings State School, Mountain View School, Parrie
Haynes Ranch, Statewide Reception Center at Brownwood, Waco State Home, and
the West Texas Children's Home.

There are also two notebooks that focus on programs and functions of the
agency as a whole. One notebook is arranged topically by the issues of
parole, group homes, halfway homes, Morales-Turman litigation, and Board
member orientation. The other notebook provides descriptive information
about the different divisions and some programs within the agency. Within
the latter notebook is a thesis on the history of the Interstate compacts,
titled An Historical Analysis of the Interstate
Compact on Juveniles by Roger H. Voltz, 1982, Sam Houston State
University.

Arrangement

The materials have been removed from the notebooks, but maintained in the
same order. The files of specific facilities are arranged alphabetically;
the files of the programs and divisions are arranged as received.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999, and from the Texas Juvenile Justice
Department on November 8, 2013.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, photographs where
individual children in Youth Commission facilities can be identified unless
the child granted permission to allow the photograph to be taken (Texas
Family Code, Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before
they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research
under the provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code,
Chapter 552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Partial history and description of the functions of the
TYC, about 1985

Two histories of the TYC, 1970s

Minutes, January 1974

Draft of a report on the history and programs of the TYC, 1990

Other divisions/programs:

Management Information System Department, 1978-1980, 1985,
1990

Electronic Document Center, 1990

Education, 1965, 1980-1983

Legal, 1974-1982

Research and planning functions, 1971-1982

[Several name changes for this
department.]

Fiscal, 1976-1977, 1983

Audit, 1980-1983

Residential Contract Program, 1977-1983

Maintenance and Construction Department, 1983

Community Assistance Program, 1976-1981

Community Services Division/Department, 1976-1982

Personnel Division, 1974-1977, 1983

Volunteer Services Department, 1976-1981

Information Services Department, 1980-1983

Interstate Compact on Juveniles:

Organization, history, goals, 1983-1984

Thesis, An Historical Analysis of the
Interstate Compact on Juveniles, Robert H. Voltz, 1982

Juvenile court reports, 1948-1958, 1964-1975, 0.5 cubic ft.

The Texas State Youth Development Council, a predecessor of the TYC, was
created to coordinate state efforts to help communities develop and
strengthen child services. It was also directed to administer the state's
correctional facilities for delinquent children by providing constructive
training aimed at the rehabilitation and successful reestablishment of these
children into society. The council took over control of the correctional
schools then managed by the State Board of Control: the Gatesville State
School for Boys, Gainesville State School for Girls, and the Brady State
School for Delinquent Colored Girls. This series consists of several sets of
reports related to juvenile court activities, most created by the Texas
State Youth Development Council or the Texas Youth Council, with one set
created by the Texas State Department of Public Welfare. Dates covered are
1948-1958, 1964-1975. These reports discuss and/or present statistical
analyses of juvenile cases, Texas statutes related to children's legal
issues, related services for Texas children, and juvenile court reporting.
Another series containing collections of state laws pertaining to juveniles
and the courts can be found in the series Ombudsman
files. The set of juvenile court reports is also available in the
Texas Documents Collection of the Archives and Information Services
Division, see Texas Juvenile Court Research
Reports, State Department of Public Welfare, volumes II-VII,
1948, 1950.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, May 2000

Box

1999/087-8

Reference Guide for Texas Juvenile Court
Reporting, presented by the Texas State Youth Development Council, 1952

Report of Juvenile Courts, prepared by the State Youth Development Council, later the
Texas Youth Council, 1955, 1958, 1964, and 1967-1975

Ombudsman files, about 1951, about 1972-about 1977, 0.3 cubic ft.

The Texas Youth Council coordinated state efforts to help communities develop
and strengthen child services, along with providing parole supervision for
certain delinquent children until their discharge. The legislature also
directed the Youth Council to operate institutions for dependent and
neglected children (Corsicana State Home, Waco State Home, and Texas Blind,
Deaf and Orphan School). This series consists of a notebook of files from
the ombudsman of the Texas Youth Council, containing Texas laws pertaining
to juvenile delinquency, courts, and training schools; a publication on the
duties of the ombudsman; an ombudsman and hearing procedures handbook;
copies of state legislation concerning ombudsmen; and reports and
publications on the duties of the ombudsman, the function of the program,
and handling grievances in correctional facilities. Dates covered are about
1951, about 1972-about 1977. The notebook on laws contains annotated
statutes, including the historical notes and decisions regarding laws dating
about 1914 through 1951. Some early publications on juvenile courts are
present in the series Juvenile court reports.

The ombudsman of the Texas Youth Council was initially appointed by the
executive director on February 1, 1974. The ombudsman had the responsibility
to help ensure the protection of children's legal rights and to control
abuse of administrative discretion through investigation, mediation or
representation in administrative hearings. The ombudsman could not institute
a suit on behalf of any child against the state or against any employee, but
could, after exhaustion of administrative remedies and after giving notice
to the executive director, refer a child to an appropriate outside source
for resolving a grievance or remedying an alleged wrong. As of 2017, the
general counsel of the agency has the responsibility for youth rights.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

The Texas Youth Council coordinated state efforts to help communities develop
and strengthen child services, along with providing parole supervision for
certain delinquent children until their discharge. The legislature also
directed the Youth Council to operate institutions for dependent and
neglected children (Corsicana State Home, Waco State Home, and Texas Blind,
Deaf and Orphan School). This series contains correspondence and memoranda
between staff of the Texas Youth Council, the staff at the Gatesville State
School for Boys, local officials, and parents of students at Gatesville;
clippings; background information about the school; and legislation,
including a draft of a bill transferring the facility to the Texas
Department of Corrections. These materials are dated 1978. The Gatesville
State School for Boys was shut down by the Texas Youth Council in 1979 and
the facilities were transferred to the Texas Department of Corrections.
These materials generally concern a work plan developed by the Youth Council
for phasing out operations at Gatesville and concerns over where to place
the more serious juvenile offenders within the Youth Council system of
juvenile correction facilities.

Discussion of the reasons behind the shut down of the facility and the
planning process may also be found in the minutes of the agency; see the
separate finding aid Youth Commission meeting files. See also the separate finding
aid Youth Commission Morales case files, since the shutdown was in
part a result of a court order resulting from this litigation. The Morales
case, litigation brought against the agency by some students, eventually
resulted in changes in the way juvenile correction facilities are operated.
Orders from the case also resulted in shutting down the Mountain View School
for Boys.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, May 2000

Box

1999/087-9

Information on Gatesville Task Force and contingency plan, 1978

Gatesville State School, 1978

Gatesville field survey notebooks, 1934, 0.1 cubic ft.

The Texas State Youth Development Council, a predecessor of the TYC, was
created to coordinate state efforts to help communities develop and
strengthen child services. It was also directed to administer the state's
correctional facilities for delinquent children by providing constructive
training aimed at the rehabilitation and successful reestablishment of these
children into society. The council took over control of the correctional
schools then managed by the State Board of Control: the Gatesville State
School for Boys, Gainesville State School for Girls, and the Brady State
School for Delinquent Colored Girls. This series consists of five notebooks
containing field survey notes and sketches of the Gatesville facility
grounds, dating 1934.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) provided for the care, custody,
rehabilitation, and reestablishment into society of youths convicted of
delinquent conduct. The TYC operated secure residential, institutional, and
community-based programs for delinquent youth and supervised the youth once
they returned to the community. It also contracted with private sector
providers to operate residential and non-residential services. This series
contains memos between staff of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), copies of
rules sent to the staff of halfway houses operated by the TYC to review
regarding compliance with the Morales agreement, copies of rules in use at
these homes, and comments on the rules. These materials are dated 1983-1984.
One letter concerns an incident at a TYC juvenile correction facility that
led to procedural changes.One letter contained the name of a youth in a
state school; it had been redacted at some point in the past by the Youth
Commission. The State Archives does not have a copy of the original
letter.

For more information about related changes resulting from the Morales
litigation see the separate finding aid Youth Commission Morales case files. The Morales case,
litigation brought against the agency by some students, eventually resulted
in changes in the way juvenile correction facilities are operated.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, May 2000

Box

1999/087-9

In-house student rules and consequences, 1983-1984

Executive director's records as ex-officio member of the Texas
Commission on Services to Children and Youth, 1972-1974, 0.3 cubic ft.

The Texas Commission on Services to Children and Youth's primary
responsibility was to assist in the coordination of administrative
responsibility and the services to state agencies and programs as they
related to the well-being of children and youth. The series contains
minutes, meeting materials, and other files of the Texas Commission on
Services to Children and Youth, dating 1972-1974. The executive director of
the Texas Youth Council served as an ex-officio member of this commission.
Materials present include minutes, reports on juvenile issues presented at
meetings or forums, testimony heard by the Governor's Interagency Task Force
on Youth Care and Rehabilitation, drafts of legislation, legislative
recommendations, rules and regulation changes, correspondence and memoranda,
newsletters, new member appointments, policy resolutions, budget data, and
the constitution and bylaws of the commission. Correspondence is largely
composed of memoranda from staff to commissioners informing them of upcoming
meetings, forums, and other issues.

Agency history

The Texas Commission on Services to Children and Youth was created in 1971 by
House Bill 466, 62nd Legislature, Regular Session. It was composed of eleven
ex-officio members and eighteen members appointed by the governor with the
concurrence of the Senate for six-year overlapping terms. The ex-officio
members were the Commissioner of Health; the Commissioner of Education; the
chairman of the Texas College and University System Coordinating Board; the
Commissioner of Human Resources; the Commissioner of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation; the director of the Texas Department of Corrections; the
director of the Texas Department of Public Safety; the executive director of
the State Commission for the Blind; the executive director of the Texas
Youth Council; the director of the Texas Employment Commission; and the
director of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. Of the appointed members,
six were to be younger than 21 years of age at the time of their
appointment. The chair was elected from the appointed members. Staff support
was provided by the Texas Department of Community Affairs.

The primary responsibility of the commission was to assist in the
coordination of administrative responsibility and the services to state
agencies and programs as they related to the well-being of children and
youth. The commission was to periodically report to the Legislature its
findings on studies relevant to the protection, growth, and development of
children and youth. It could also recommend changes to existing programs or
propose new programs it deemed essential. It also performed any duties
assigned to it by the governor or the Legislature concerning the White House
Conferences on Children and Youth. This commission was abolished in 1979 by
House Bill 1834, 66th Legislature, Regular Session, the bill that adopted
the Human Resources Code.

Arrangement

The files are arranged roughly in reverse chronological order.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Executive director's records as an ex-officio member of
the Texas Commission on Services to Children and Youth, Texas Youth
Commission historical records. Archives and Information Services Division,
Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession numbers: 1999/086, 1999/087

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

The Texas Youth Commission administered the Interstate Compact on Juveniles
(ICJ) for the state of Texas. The administrators of each state compact are
members of the Association of Juvenile Compact Administrators that meets
yearly to discuss issues pertinent to its endeavors. This series consists of
minutes from the annual meetings of the Association of Juvenile Compact
Administrators and from its annual mid-winter workshops. Dates covered are
1955-1996. The minutes and workshops cover issues concerning multi-state
problems involving runaway juveniles. Topics include proposed legislation,
court decisions, return of juveniles to their home state, supervision of
juveniles in another state, expenses involved, ages of juveniles,
agreements, etc. Other materials present in the minutes include committee
reports, resolutions, reports of the treasurer and secretary, and the report
of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.

A related item is a thesis about the interstate compacts filed in the series
Youth Commission facilities and programs history
and information notebooks, titled An
Historical Analysis of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles, by
Roger H. Voltz, 1982, Sam Houston State University. An older handbook of
procedures on handling interstate compact cases can be found in the series
Interstate Compact on Juveniles files.

The Texas Youth Commission administered the Interstate Compact on Juveniles
(ICJ) for the state of Texas. The Council of State Governments drafted a
compact agreement in 1955 to address the need for interstate agreements to
cover multi-state problems involving runaway juveniles. The need was evident
for procedures to permit the return of non-delinquent juveniles who ran away
from home to other states, and for a system under which juvenile offenders
could be supervised in other states. The first organizational meeting of the
ICJ was held in 1956. In 1965, the 59th Texas Legislature enacted House Bill
531, The Uniform Interstate Compact on Juveniles. By adding a new section to
the Texas Youth Council Act, Texas joined the compact in 1965. The executive
director of the Youth Commission is the compact administrator for Texas. The
ICJ provides for the cooperative supervision of juvenile probationers and
parolees who move from state to state. It also provides for the return of
non-delinquent runaway youth, parole and probation absconders, and escapees
to their home state. The administrators of each state compact are members of
the Association of Juvenile Compact Administrators that meets yearly to
discuss issues pertinent to its endeavors. It also holds mid-winter
workshops for members on relevant juvenile issues.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on January 11 and May 28, 1999.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, May 2000

Association of Juvenile Compact Administrators minutes:

Box

1999/164-5

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994 [2 folders]

1995 [2 folders]

1996

Interstate Compact on Juveniles files, about 1965, 1967, fractional

The Texas Youth Commission administered the Interstate Compact on Juveniles
(ICJ) for the state of Texas. This series contains a practices and
procedures handbook for fulfilling the functions of the Texas Interstate
Compact on Juveniles, dating about 1965, and a summary report from the 1967
National Governor's Conference on Juvenile Delinquency. The handbook also
contains a copy of the Texas legislation creating the Uniform Interstate
Compact on Juveniles for Texas.

Related materials are minutes from meetings of the Association of Juvenile
Compact Administrators, found in the series Association of Juvenile Compact Administrators. Another related
item is a thesis about the interstate compacts filed in the series Youth Commission facilities and programs history and
information notebooks, titled An Historical
Analysis of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles, by Roger H.
Voltz, 1982, for Sam Houston State University.

The Texas Youth Commission administered the Interstate Compact on Juveniles
(ICJ) for the state of Texas. The Council of State Governments drafted a
compact agreement in 1955 to address the need for interstate agreements to
cover multi-state problems involving runaway juveniles. The need was evident
for procedures to permit the return of non-delinquent juveniles who ran away
from home to other states, and for a system under which juvenile offenders
could be supervised in other states. The first organizational meeting of the
ICJ was held in 1956. In 1965, the 59th Texas Legislature enacted House Bill
531, The Uniform Interstate Compact on Juveniles. By adding a new section to
the Texas Youth Council Act, Texas joined the compact in 1965. The executive
director of the Youth Commission is the compact administrator for Texas. The
ICJ provides for the cooperative supervision of juvenile probationers and
parolees who move from state to state. It also provides for the return of
non-delinquent runaway youth, parole and probation absconders, and escapees
to their home state. The administrators of each state compact are members of
the Association of Juvenile Compact Administrators that meets yearly to
discuss issues pertinent to its endeavors. It also holds mid-winter
workshops for members on relevant juvenile issues.

Theses, 1958, 1978, 0.15 cubic ft.

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) provided for the care, custody,
rehabilitation, and reestablishment into society of youths convicted of
delinquent conduct. The TYC operated secure residential, institutional, and
community-based programs for delinquent youth and supervised the youth once
they returned to the community. It also contracted with private sector
providers to operate residential and non-residential services. This series
contains two theses on the broad topic of juvenile corrections, dating 1958
and 1978. The first is titled The Measurement of
Employee Absenteeism and Turnover in a Wilderness Therapeutic Camping
Program, by Gary Selman, 1978, Stephen F. Austin State
University. The next is Interrelationships Among
Developmental Characteristics of Institutionalized Delinquent
Boys, by B. Bryce Davis, 1958, Texas Christian University.

Another thesis concerning Youth Commission activities relating to the
Interstate Compact on Juveniles, can be found in the series Youth Commission facilities and programs history and
information notebooks, titled An Historical
Analysis of the Interstate Compact on Juveniles, by Roger H.
Voltz, 1982, Sam Houston State University.

The Texas Juvenile Corrections Master Plan Advisory Council was an advisory
council of citizens and professionals. Council members were nominated by
members of the Texas Youth Council and formal appointments were made by Ron
Jackson, executive director of the Texas Youth Council and Robert C.
Flowers, executive director of the Criminal Justice Division of the
Governor's Office. These records are minutes of the Texas Juvenile
Corrections Master Plan Advisory Council, dating 1974. An agenda is present
for August 1974, with minutes present for December 1974. A three volume
master plan and a summary report, written in 1975, are present in the series
Reports and studies, see Texas Master Plan for Youth Development Services, A
Summary Report, Texas Youth Council, 1975; and Texas Master Plan for Youth Development Services,
Texas Youth Council, 3 volume set, 1975.

History of the Advisory Council

In October 1973 Governor Dolph Briscoe issued an executive order calling for
"a comprehensive study to inventory existing
facilities and services and to recommend ways and means of upgrading the
services of Texas State Government to youth in the broadest and most
comprehensive manner--early development, education, care and
rehabilitation of troubled and disadvantaged youth." To carry out
the study the Texas Youth Council and the Criminal Justice Division of the
Governor's Office cosponsored a project to develop a master plan for
juvenile corrections in Texas. The consulting firm of Carkhoff Association,
Inc. was hired to produce a report detailing a master plan that was then
reviewed by the Texas Juvenile Corrections Master Plan Advisory Council, an
advisory council of citizens and professionals. Council members were
nominated by members of the Texas Youth Council and formal appointments were
made by Ron Jackson, executive director of the Texas Youth Council and
Robert C. Flowers, executive director of the Criminal Justice Division of
the Governor's Office. The project report and a summary report of the
recommendations of the advisory council were published in 1975.

The State Juvenile Training School, also known as the State Juvenile Training
Facility (formerly known as the House of Correction and Reformatory, later
known as the Gatesville State School for Boys) was under management of the
Board of Control until 1949 when the State Youth Development Council, a
predecessor of the TYC, began administration of the institution. The
residents attended academic and vocational classes and engaged in a variety
of farming activities. A parole system that rewarded good behavior permitted
the release of certain inmates to private sponsors. Financial records of the
State Juvenile Training School include correspondence, statements of
accounts, an inventory of goods on hand, annual statements of school funds,
contracts, invoices of textbook purchases, architectural drawings of a
proposed dormitory, list of boys buried at the Gatesville State School, list
of discharge money paid to a few boys, lists of accounts, pedigree charts
for livestock and dogs, and registration certificates and transfer of
ownership certificates of registered cattle. Records are dated 1909-1944,
1949, undated, bulk 1911-1927. Topics include financial status of the
overall facility and of the school at the facility, routine financial
transactions, land leased or purchased for the facility, construction at the
facility, and livestock management. Correspondents include the governor's
office, the Board of Control, the Attorney General, and the Comptroller.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on October 27, 2004.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Laura K. Saegert, October 2004

Box

2005/050

Correspondence with governor regarding land purchase, 1911

Letter from Attorney General to local attorney regarding suit for
land title, 1912

Correspondence and original drawings for proposed dormitory, 1911

Correspondence with State Board of Control and Comptroller, 1920, 1928

List of boys buried in the Gatesville State School for Boys
cemetery, 1967

State Juvenile School parole volumes, 1926-1940, 2 volumes

The State Juvenile Training School, also known as the State Juvenile Training
Facility (formerly known as the House of Correction and Reformatory, later
known as the Gatesville State School for Boys) was under management of the
Board of Control until 1949 when the State Youth Development Council, a
predecessor of the TYC, began administration of the institution. The
residents attended academic and vocational classes and engaged in a variety
of farming activities. A parole system that rewarded good behavior permitted
the release of certain inmates to private sponsors. The two volumes record
the youth's name and individual identification number, ethnicity, reason
they were sent to the school (burglary, being incorrigible, murder, etc.),
their employer (if they worked after they were paroled), and the city they
were from. Volumes date 1926-1940.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Youth Commission on September 7, 2007.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

Processing Information

Halley Grogan, January 2017

Volume

2008/004-1

Juvenile Parole records, 1926-1933[one volume]

Volume

2008/004-2

Juvenile Parole records, 1931-1940[one volume]

Crockett State School admittance book, 1947-1960, 1 volume

The Texas State Youth Development Council, a predecessor of the TYC, was
created to coordinate state efforts to help communities develop and
strengthen child services. It was also directed to administer the state's
correctional facilities for delinquent children by providing constructive
training aimed at the rehabilitation and successful reestablishment of these
children into society. The council took over control of the correctional
schools then managed by the State Board of Control: the Gatesville State
School for Boys, Gainesville State School for Girls, and the Brady State
School for Delinquent Colored Girls (later known as the Colored Girls
Training School at Crockett and the Crockett State School for Girls). The
admittance book records case number, youth's name, date admitted, and in
some cases, birth date, county, release date, and readmission date. Entries
date from 1947-1960.

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services
Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas
Juvenile Justice Department on November 8, 2013.

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public
Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to, names, home
addresses and other identifying information of juvenile offenders in the
agency's juvenile delinquent system and of dependent and neglected children
in any facilities operated by the Texas Youth Commission (Texas Family Code,
Section 58.005); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on
requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.

The Texas Youth Council (later Commission) was assigned the responsibility
for providing services to delinquent youths between 10 and 21 years of age
through programs and facilities that administered constructive training for
rehabilitation in 1949. The agency had the responsibility for state-run
institutions for dependent and neglected children and management of
delinquent youth and children in the county juvenile probation subsidy
program. Waco State Home was one of three facilities created by the Texas
legislature to support, educate, and care for orphan, dependent or neglected
children. Payroll records include the employee name, position, employee
number, and notes regarding attendance, earnings, and deductions for Waco
State Home and other unidentified TYC facilities. Records date 1930-1931,
1941-1946, 1952-1967, and 1973-1974.